Things to do, places to go this weekend

The Paper Mill Playhouse kicks off its fall Children's Theatre Series today and Sunday with the musical "Madeline & the Bad Hat." Performances both days are at 11 a.m.

ArtsPower National Touring Theatre will perform the shows, recommended for children ages 5 to 7.

"Madeline & The Bad Hat" is based on Ludwig Bemelman's "Madeline" series of books and follows the adventures of a young Parisian girl.

Tickets are $15 for orchestra and $12 for mezzanine. Call (973) 376-4343 or go to papermill.org. The Paper Mill is on Brookside Drive in Millburn. The full series schedule is available on the website.

Expo

Toys, action figures, original art, videos and comics will be on exhibit and for sale at the Big Apple Comic Book, Art, Toy & Sci-Fi Expo today and Sunday in New York City.

More than 300 dealers and exhibitors will be on hand with TV and movie memorabilia, non-sports cards and the latest toys at the Penn Plaza Pavilion at Seventh Avenue and 33rd Street, directly across from Madison Square Garden.

The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. Admission is $20 at the door. For information, call (201) 861-1414 or visit bigapplecon.com.

Family fun

Russian children are the stars of the show, performing acrobatics, juggling and other circus acts, when the Russian American Kids Circus takes the stage at 4 p.m. Sunday at the South Orange Performing Arts Center.

The kids are known for their outrageous costumes, aerial feats and balancing acts.

Tovah Feldshuh will install her critically-lauded "Golda's Balcony" at New Brunswick's State Theatre today for two shows.

The production, the longest-running one-woman show on Broadway, was written by William Gibson ("The Miracle Worker"). It follows Meir from her Russian girlhood to the heights of power as Israel's prime minister.

The shows are at 3 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 to $65, although group, student and senior discounts are available. Call (732) 246-7469 or go to statetheatrenj.org.

Supporting the troops

They may swear allegiance to the fictional fighters of the "Star Wars" universe, but these sci-fi fans know who the real heroes are.

The New Jersey chapter of The 501st Legion, which concerns itself with imperial costuming from the "Star Wars" series, along with the Kamino Squad, a unit of the chapter, is launching the "Heroes for Heroes Project" to collect comics and graphic novels for troops overseas.

Members of the Northeast Remnant (as the New Jersey chapter is known) and the Kamino Squad will appear at the Comic Book Store at 30 N. Main St., in Glassboro from noon to 5 p.m. today to drum up interest.

If you're not up for the drive, you can donate your own comics and graphic novels or purchase new ones to donate at reduced prices through the end of the year at the Hall of Heroes in Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing and the Moorestown Mall, and Level Up Entertainment in Tilton Times Plaza in Egg Harbor Township.